Hi my name is John and I own a Vega. I have Hull 3319 S/V Albion (Photos in the photo section). I have had her for two seasons she is my second sailboat. (I started with a Halman 20) This season I skippered the STV Tuna (A CS 36) to Boston and back for the Marblehead race. As for qualifications I am a Petty officer Hull technician in the RCN so I have some experience with fabrication and maintenance as well as a detail comprehension of stability and Damage control. I have my CYA Advanced skippers ticket and a few deliveries done and have commenced the theory portion for the RYA yacht masters ticket. I am planning an Atlantic crossing for 2017 in my Vega as I am interested in what I define as “expeditionary sailing“. I like the Yahoo forums specifically because there is a tendency towards a deeper respect for seamanship and safety. I am very found of Roger Taylor and his SV Ming Ming and now Ming Ming 2. And all the other Famous small boats and I am particularly interested in the Jester Challenge. I have been following Mat Rutherford and his exploits and a few others. (If anyone knows how John Zimmerman is doing with his intended Atlantic crossing I would really like to know how he made out. He departed Halifax for the Azores on the same day I sailed the STV Tuna to Boston). Other than that just the usual stuff solar, sail trim, expedition planning. I will try and contribute when I can and as well as I can and I hope to learn something cheers John from Halifax NS Canada